Josiah Royce in Focus

Jacquelyn Ann K. Kegley

Publication Year: 2008

This new approach to Josiah Royce shows one of American philosophy's
brightest minds in action for today's readers. Although Royce was one of the
towering figures of American pragmatism, his thought is often considered in the wake
of his more famous peers. Jacquelyn Ann K. Kegley brings fresh perspective to
Royce's ideas and clarifies his individual philosophical vision. Kegley foregrounds
Royce's concern with contemporary public issues and ethics, focusing in particular
on how he addresses long-standing problems such as race, religion, community, the
dangers of mass media, mass culture, and blatant individualistic capitalism. She
offers a deep and fruitful philosophical exploration of Royce's ideas on conflict
resolution, memory, self-identity, and self-development. Kegley's keen understanding
and appreciation of Royce reintroduces him to a new generation of scholars and
students.

Cover

Contents

Preface

This book had its beginning some years ago when I was a graduate student at Columbia
University. There my mentor and teacher, Justus Buchler, suggested that
I explore Royce’s views on science. I remain eternally grateful for this suggestion
as I continue to fi nd in Royce’s voluminous writings new and relevant insights
for contemporary issues. ...

Acknowledgments

Again, my profound thanks goes to those scholars such as John McDermott,
Frank Oppenheim, John Clendenning, Randy Auxier, and Scott Pratt, as well as
the members of the Josiah Royce Society, who continue to work to bring Royce’s
thought alive in this time and place and for the future. ...

1. Royce as a Frontier Californian and Intellectual Pioneer

This biographical sketch of Josiah Royce will focus on some of his ideas and character
traits, centered on two themes: Royce as a bridge builder and as a seeker of
“insight.” These foci include exploration of the following sub-themes: (1) philosophy
as refl ection on life as experienced in all its richness, variety, conflict,
and unity; ...

2. The Self

Royce’s psychological and philosophical reflections provide us in the contemporary
philosophical scene a wealth of fruitful and relevant ideas. Royce’s ideas
resonate well with the current concern for basing philosophical reflections on
empirical matters arising out of the psychological and biological sciences. ...

3. Royce’s Ethical Theory

This discussion of Royce’s ethical theory begins with his 1880 essay “Tests of
Right and Wrong”1 and treats various expressions and refinements of his main
ideas up and through his 1916 course on ethics, further exploring the continuity
and flow of Royce’s thought as well as the interconnections among his various
concerns ...

4. Religious Insight, the Spirit of Community, and the Reality of Evil

In The Religious Aspect of Philosophy Royce writes: “Religion invites the scrutiny of
philosophy, and philosophy may not neglect the problems of religion.”1 We recall
from the first chapter that Royce’s father and mother were religious people, although
their temperaments in this regard were quite different. ...

5. Developing Genuine Individuals and Communities

Royce’s refl ections on concrete problems of the human community provide a
framework for a new approach to social and political issues. First, Royce fully engages
the central issue of individualism versus collectivism, the individual versus
the demands of social order. Like Nietzsche, Royce honored the individual,
noble, courageous self ...

6. The Thought of Josiah Royce

Royce provides many insights for contemporary thought and life. The amazing
depth of his interests and experience yields a rich treasure that is key to dealing
with public issues such as race, diversity, immigration problems, religious understanding
and diversity, conflict and community building, self-development and
self-alienation, ...

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